StarwoodGuy: A week in Panama on a points run! Day 9

I asked for a 4:00 am wake up call so I could get some work done while having coffee in my room which arrived promptly at 4:15 as per my request, before a workout upstairs, followed by breakfast in the Club Lounge and a nice walk along the water walkway before showering and checking out. Le Meridien Panama had some strong points in terms of location and some weaker ones with the gym and pool closure, the outdoor pool terrace was locked so I was unable to even snap a photo, but the service and staff were excellent and unbelievably caring and attentive.

I took an Uber to the airport for the low price of $37.00 and a short thirty minute ride. Upon arrival I had my documents checked at the American counter, to avoid having to do this at the gate, and then made my way to the land-side Tocumen VIP Lounge. It was a basic lounge but they come around and ask if you would like drinks with wine and beer on offer as well as sodas. Juice and some simple food is out on the buffet table.

I lost another pair of baby scissors as I went through the quick Immigration and security check (apparently not allowed here as in Mexico and Asia sometimes) before heading into the terminal with plenty of stores which I looked at quickly before going up to the Copa Lounge. It is one floor up with a nice view over the runway, but when I arrived there was a large line at the entry. Once inside there was no room at any of the seats or tables expect for one at the bar which I quickly grabbed. The service was good with a well stocked bar, but the food was limited. After awhile many Copa flights left and the lounge emptied out.

My 737-800 return American Airlines flight boarded on time, but you have to go through a secondary screening right at the gate slowing everything down. The food was very good but the service was lacking. They failed to take drink orders until an hour into the flight then informed us there would be no refills until all dinners had been served. Everyone was basically finished before they started to do a second service in Business, and they never brought the one I asked for when they came around. Some people hit their call buttons, myself included, something I hate doing since I know the flight attendants loathe it, and a flight attendant from economy happened to come through, saw my button on (3 others as well in Business were still on) and asked what I wanted. I said the drink I asked for with my meal which had never been brought. She said they were very busy. The two attendants in the front were sitting having a meal of their own instead of working, it is only a three and a half hour flight so I was a little surprised by this attitude. At any rate, minor issues but not great compared to the other American flights I had recently had and what I am used to with Delta and Alaska, we never saw the flight attendants again until the end when they came through to pick up before landing.

Once in Miami I made my way quickly through Global Entry before heading back through PRE and to the American Express Centurion Lounge. I had a long layover so I worked for a few hours before boarding my 767-300 flight on to Dallas. Once again the 767 changed within 12 hours of departure from the lie flat bed model to the standard model. I did not want to get stuck at a window seat again with no easy escape so I managed 2B to have an aisle access. Again, I thought this was pretty poor on American's behalf that they swap out these planes when people might be buying tickets based on the better product and getting short changed. So no tv's again and more annoyingly the planned meal service disappeared and was replaced by just cookies or 'refreshment' option since the flight now left after 8:00pm, had I known in advance I would have eaten in the lounge. The flight crew on this service was amazing though, very attentive, I ordered a green tea but they did not have any so the flight attendant took one from her own personal supply, and after they brought me several cups of tea.

Arriving in Dallas I called the Element DFW shuttle service and they came quickly to pick me up. I was at the hotel in short order and for the first time with SPG I tried my Keyless Entry. It had failed me at the Aloft in Seoul a year earlier, but this time it worked flawlessly. It was very odd just using your phone to enter with no interaction at the front desk, but I had been up so early and I was up again the next day before dawn, so it was a welcome and appreciated feature. I had been upgraded to a one bedroom suite which I looked around at quickly before falling into a deep sleep. I loved the design, the kitchen and just that it was quick and business efficient. If there were more Element properties I would definitely stay at them.